Congress takes to yagna in Dravidian heartland for electoral triumph

Days after the ruling party in the state, the All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), conducted several yagnas in temples, praying for rains in the state, it’s now the turn of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee. But the party has turned to prayers for a different reason. Starting Tuesday (May 21), the party is conducting a three-day homam and yagnas in Kamarajar Arangam, Chennai, for securing victory in the Lok Sabha election, which, in turn, would lead to the installation of a Congress-led government at the Centre. The rituals come close on the heels of the exit polls, which have predicted a return of the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

However, the state Congress committee seeking refuge in rituals comes as a surprise as such acts are often associated with parties like the BJP, while the grand old party would want to be perceived as secular and rational.

Political parties performing yagnas is not new to Tamil Nadu as the AIADMK kick started the tradition during the regime of the then chief minister MG Ramachandran. When he fell ill in 1984, the party cadres across the state conducted special poojas and yagnas. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) patriarch M Karunanidhi, who was in the opposition, sent out a statement saying, “12-year-enmity has gone away not only because of a 40-year-old  friendship but also due to tears in my eyes on hearing about your illness. Prayers don’t just mean worship, but also for putting forward a request. Hence, I too pray. Get well soon.”

Since then, the state has witnessed many such yagnas, mostly performed by politicians, either to remain in power or to assume office. It was reported that during the regime of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, many of her ministers were in constant fear of either losing their positions or their plum portfolios. In order to protect themselves from such a move by the party top-brass, they secretly performed yagnas in temples or in their homes.

In 2016, the state saw a surge in the rituals, especially when Jayalalithaa was hospitalised for over two months.

Most recently, in January 2019, DMK chief MK Stalin accused the AIADMK of performing yagna at the Chief Secretariat. But AIADMK ministers vehemently denied the allegation.

Later in March, reports emerged about Lok Sabha deputy speaker Thambi Durai conducting a yagna at Kambakareswarar temple in Kumbakonam.  It was conducted in total secrecy that even ministers were unaware of it. It is interesting to note that, in the year 2000, Jayalalithaa along with Sasikala performed a yagna in the same temple, following which Jaya won the state elections in 2001.

Ahead of the just concluded election process, many leaders across parties conducted special poojas and yagnas before hitting the campaign trail.

While there has been little fuss about Congress taking to rituals, the posters put up by the party with images of Dravidian leaders Karunanidhi and Stalin, have created a brouhaha among DMK cadres.

“We have used their images since they are part of our alliance. They have not even been informed about the rituals,” said D Yasodha, former MLA, who is performing the yagna.

But the attendance of leaders, on the first day of the yagna has not been encouraging as most of them were busy observing the 28th death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi. The yagna will get completed on May 23-the day counting of votes will be taken up.